Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
When The Wells Run Dry
Open on tableau of person sitting on couch, watching TV (on the Promethean board)
Person switches between channels.
Person: hmmm, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Person watches for a few more moments.
Person: nah, I'm not really in the mood.
Person changes channels again.
Person: oh, The Voice? Wow, this person is terrible. Cmon, don't push the button! Aw
come on.
Person switches again.
Person: oh, the Flint press conference. Wow, this must be a really big issue.
Person yawns
Person pauses, then stretches
Person: Do I smell pizza? Mom what's for dinner?
Pauses
Person: yummm, I'm coming! There's nothing good on anyways.
Person leaves, tossing the remote on the couch.
Exit
Enter people from Flint news story, tableau.
Emergency manager: It is astounding to me that our city council voted to switch back to
the Detroit water. I mean, why would you want to voluntarily cost our city more money to
do something thats pointless?!
Interviewer 1: But isn't the Flint water unhealthy?
Emergency manager: That's absurd. The Flint water is up to all EPA standards and the
health codes set by the state of Michigan.
Person#2: um, I am a representative from the EPA, and I don't believe that that's true!
Emergency manager pauses for a second.
The Emergency manager: can someone take them out of here?
Security enters and escorts Interviewer #2, and Interviewer #1 out. As security is escorting the
press, they scream out.
Person#2: We are not paying for your poisonous water anymore! We have been poisoned
by policy. Our childrens lead levels have doubled thanks to your filthy water!
Security person comes back on and stands next to emergency manager.
Emergency manager pulls out two glasses of water, seemingly from nowhere. One is clear, one
is muddy brown. He holds them up next to each other.
Emergency manager: I can assure you that the two systems have the same quality water.
Here's a bottle from the Detroit system and here's one from the flint system. Now tell me
if you see a difference between these two! They're exactly the same!
Crowd murmurs uneasily
Emergency manager continues talking about how the two waters are the same.
Protesters 1,2, and 3 enter
Protester 1: If they're the same, why don't
you drink out of the Flint glass?

Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
Protesters 2(Mahnaz) & 3: yeah!
Emergency manager begins to sweat profusely and look incredibly nervous. He towels his
forehead off before answering and stutters when he finally responds.
EM: um, n-no thank you. I have my own WONDERFUL Nestle water right here.
Emergency manager pulls out a large bottle of water with a nestle label. He takes a large sip
and tries to continue.
Protesters cut him off.
Protestor #2(Mahnaz) You clearly know nothing about what were experiencing in our
city. And we will keep fighting until you give us what we want. Clean water!
Protester 1 & 3: Yeah!
Protester #1: Lets get our water back!!!
Protester #3: Clean water is a human right!!
All protestors: water for flint! Water for flint! Water for flint!
Protesters yell at & chase emergency manager as he panics and runs offstage, escorted by the
bodyguard.
Protesters walk offstage after him and then move back toward the center of the stage.
Protester #2: It just makes me so mad that that idiot is the one deciding what happens to
my family! The people running the government know nothing about our issues, they
arent the ones who dont have access to clean water.
Protester #1: exactly. They keep insisting that they're innocent, but that doesn't help us.
It's not like that prevents my kids and hair from falling out.
Protesters 2 and 3 comfort Protester 1 for a few seconds.
Protester #3: it's so frustrating, it feels like we've been trying to improve things around
here for forever, and nothing's changed! People are getting disease and all of these
politicians keep lying to us.
They are walking home from press conference They see something lying on the ground. They
pick up a PSA flyer
Protester 1 : Hey what's this
PSA person walks onto stage as protesters freeze. She grabs the flyer out of her hand and
begins speaking.
PSAP: I'll tell you what it is! This is a survival guide for you and all the other residents of
Flint.
Holds up poster with PSA
PSAP: Flint residents, here are some active steps toward keeping your families safe.
Until further notice, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention want you to know that there are no known safe blood lead levels
in children. These are just some things that you can do to reduce lead as much as you
can in your water. Bottled water is the only safe option for children six years old and
under. Filtered water is only safe if your filter is certified to remove lead. Everyone can
wash their hands, bathe, and shower with unfiltered water, but DO NOT allow babies or
children to drink unfiltered bath water. There should be several locations around you
where you can pick up free filters and filtered water. Stay safe!
General Motors worker working on car on ground. Surrounded by co-workers

Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
Boss is off to side, sitting and doing paperwork.
#1 efforts out from under car
Joe(#1): hey have you seen those PSAs around town? The ones about Flint water.
marty(#2): yeah, So glad we discovered this water problem a few months ago! or the
water would have made more of our cars corrosive, that would have been so bad for the
company, so much more money loss. What do you think Tom?
Boss gets up from chair and starts walking toward mechanics. He stops at the doorway a little
ways away when he hears them talking.
Tom comes out from under car looking uncomfortable
Tom: Don't you think it's kind of sad that the people in flint are having to drink that
terrible water? I mean if it can rust our cars can you imagine what it can do to humans?!
Boss looks shocked but keeps listening.
Marty(#2): oh, come on, it's not like that's our problem. We didn't order the switch, it's not
our fault, and luckily, we don't have to deal with it.
Tom: I cant even believe you would say that! Those are people in Flint being affected by
this water. My brother lives there with his kids, and my mother who is too old for a job, so
she doesn't have the money to buy lots of bottled water. Its not like the bottled Nestle
water they're being forced to buy is free! Shouldnt we have reported this issue from the
start?
#3: Relax Tom, were just here to fix the cars. We shouldnt get caught up in all this
company and political business. Just be happy that the car engines are working well
again, that means more money for you.
Joe(#1) scoots out from under the car
Tries to ease the tension
Joe #1: hey marty come look at this, is it good to go?
Joe #1 and Tom goes back under the car
Marty puts head under car to look under the car
Marty: looks good to me, just tighten this screw. Oh and did you check the muffler? I
know that was a problem earlier.
Joe #1: yup, just did, thanks man
Workers do some more fiddling with the car.
Boss enters
Boss: Hey guys. Um, Tom, could I speak with you for a second?
Tom: Um yea sure
Tom and the Boss go off to the side
Workers continue to pantomime working on car silently.
Boss: I heard you in there Tom. Talking about all that Flint stuff. I just want to warn you
not to get involved in this mess, that's not your business.
Tom: But it is, didn't you hear? My brother lives there sir-Boss: I heard what you said Tom, that doesn't change anything. You need to trust
authority. Our governor knows what he's doing. I just dont want you to lose your job
because of a meaningless remark. Don't let me catch you talking about that again.
Tom sighs.

Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
Tom: yes sir.
Tom and boss re enter the scene
Boss: Alright men, go ahead and finish this up. Ill be in my office, I have the pleasure of
clearing out our answering machines. People have been calling off the hook asking for
interviews! But Its not like anything important is going on here.
Joe: You guys can go. Im just gonna finish this up.
Other guys: See ya Joe.
Marty, and Tom exit. Joe moves to left center of stage takes the car away and becomes
Machine. Thea Rowland walks on. Boss stays on sitting at a desk in his office,
Right center stage.
Thea Rowland dials the phone(dramatically)
Thea: Come on, pick up. I need answers!
Boss: Not another call! you know what, I'm not gonna pick this one up.
Ringing sounds three times
Ringing sounds stop
Thea perks up,smiles, and gasps a little
Silence
I'm sorry you have reached the voice mailbox of the Flint General Motors office. we really
take your call seriously. Please leave a message after the beep and well get back to you
as soon as possible!
BEEP
Thea: hi my name is Thea Rowland-BEEP I'm sorry but this mailbox is full and cannot accept any messages at this time.
Thea sighs and looks exasperated.
She dramatically hangs up the phone
Thea: maybe I'll try the governor of Michigans office, see if they can give me some
answers.
dials again dramatically
Immediate pick-up
Operator: you've reached the governors office how may I help you?
Thea: mouths Finally! My name is Thea Rowland, I'm a highschool student and I'm doing
a project on the Flint water crisis and I was hoping to get some information to make sure
that I accurately represent both sides of the story.
Operator: I'm not sure about both sides of the story, but you can get the right side of the
story here.
Thea: I was hoping for an interview with the Governor
Operator: I'm sure you know that Governor Snyder is very busy at the moment and is not
in his office. I would suggest that you go to our website. It is very informative and will get
you all the information you need
Thea: unsure ok thanks I guess. Wait, wait just one more question
Operator: ok what?
Thea: Do you think race has anything to do with this issue? I mean dont you think its
more than a coincidence that a predominately black town would have this-

Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
Operator interrupts
Operator: I'm getting another call...
Long pause
Beep beep beep beep
Thea: hello? Why isnt anyone willing to talk. Its almost as if theyre hiding
something...
Thea looks confused.
Exit
Enter mom and child. Mom looks worried. They enter the elevator. soft music plays in the
background. as the elevator goes up, the mom taps her foot and looks impatient and
exhausted. they exit the elevator. They walk up to the receptionist.
mom clears her throat.
Mom: Hi, we have an appointment with Dr. Fields.
Receptionist(Maddy): oh of course, Dr. Fields is very busy today and you might have to
wait, but well get you in as soon as possible.
Mom looks around. There are a lot of people around, many with children who appear to be sick.
Mother looks horrified and looks at a mother and child sitting beside her
Mom: Are you ok maam? You look worried
Women sighs
Women: Its just...there's too much going on right now. My husband and I are both
suffering from lead poisoning, and now my daughter too! The doctor said its causing
severe brain damage. Shes not eating, shes lost so much weight, and shes been
vomiting all day. Im so worried about her, I just want my daughter to be healthy. Is that
too much to ask for?
Mom: Of course not, Im so sorry to hear what youre going through.
Mother stands up and the rest of the room freezes.
Mom: So many people struggling the same way I am. I haven't slept in days, and Olivia is
so fussy when she's sick. I'm still looking for another job. I can't afford to keep buying
bottled water, I don't even know how I'm affording this appointment! And Uncle James
went to the doctor last week. They told him he has cancer! And little Rosa next door
having lead poisoning, oh, it's all so awful. I never thought something like this could ever
happen to me or my city. And the governments barely even trying to fix it. Honestly! And
of course it would be the city where nearly every persons black to have the crisis. This
city deserves equality and justice! The government doesnt even care about us!
Nurse: Ms. Martin, Dr Fields is ready to see you.
(Mom takes a deep breath and walks in)
Dr. Fields is sitting at his desk and gets up to shake her hand as she enters. He is carrying labs.
Dr. Fields walks over and places his hand on Ms. Martin's shoulder. Ms Martin looks shocked,
scared, and sad.
Megan enters and lights dim. Ms. Martin and Dr. Fields exit
Megan: Ms. Martin was not the only one getting bad news on that day.
Rachel enters and stands next to Megan.

Mahnaz, Maddy, Megan, Rosie and Rachel

Red Group
4/27/16
Rachel: 8657 children in Flint have already been exposed to lead poisoning, and the
number just keeps growing.
Rosie enters and stands next to Rachel.
Rosie: The Flint river water was found to be 19 times more corrosive than the Detroit
water supply.
Mahnaz enters and stands next to Rosie.
Mahnaz: Governor Rick Snyder has vowed to drink the Flint water for 30 days to clear his
conscience and public image, but is still unwilling to work on fixing the crisis.
Maddy enters and stands next to Mahnaz.
Maddy: Civilians in Flint were switched onto the corrosive Flint river water in April 2013,
and the contamination remains in their pipes today, and for the foreseeable future.
Megan: what's happening in flint is clear example of environmental racism.
Environmental racism is the practice that disadvantages individuals or communities
because of their race. Poor communities and communities of color often experience
disproportionate impacts of these environmental hazards. More than half of the
population in Flint is African American.
Rachel: Between 2009 and 2013, 41.5% of Flint residents lived below the poverty line and
of its families have an annual income of below 15,000 a year.
Rosie: the emergency manager was originally brought because the residents were seen
as unfit to govern themselves.
Mahnaz: Would these decisions have ever been made in a richer and whiter town?
Maddy: Why has this situation dragged on for so long when the government is aware that
their own people are being poisoned? If this can happen in Flint it can happen in so
many towns across America. Are we really going to let this go on?
ALL: Who will take responsibility as the wells run dry?